Froebel Trust Writing Workshop

Note: The application deadline for the workshop has now passed. Successful applicants will be contacted on 8 July.

Would you like the chance to develop your writing skills and reflect on your experiences and knowledge of early childhood education?

Are you interested in a Froebelian approach to early education?

This summer we're hosting a weekend writing workshop for UK-based education professionals who would like to write about a Froebelian approach to early childhood education.

Date: Friday 12 August to Sunday 14 August 2022

Venue: Elm Grove Conference Centre, University of Roehampton, London

You don't have to be an experienced writer or have academic experience to take part. You might work with young children, train teachers, work or study at a university, manage a nursery school or lead a community play or family support group. We welcome your application. The workshop and accommodation is funded by the Froebel Trust (no fees for successful applicants).

The workshop is designed to give you an opportunity to reflect on your experiences of working with young children and to network with other professionals who want to write about a Froebelian approach to early education.

You don't have to have attended a Froebel Trust Short Course or completed Froebel training at University of Roehampton or University of Edinburgh to take part in this workshop.

The aim of the weekend is to provide a constructive and mutually supportive environment in which to share writing experiences and ideas, culminating in a series of blogs, short articles or reviews about Froebelian early childhood education and care. We would like to publish these final articles on our Froebel Trust website.

The workshop will be lead by Jane Whinnett and Catriona Gill. Jane co-edited the Nursery World 2021 Professional Book of the Year, Putting Storytelling at the Heart of Early Childhood Practice. She is a Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor and author of Froebel's gifts and block play today. Catriona is a Froebel Trust trustee and in April 2021 joined the Early Years team at Education Scotland, following more than 20 years in teaching roles. She is also a part-time tutor on the University of Edinburgh Froebel in Childhood Practice courses.

Professor Tina Bruce CBE will make a presentation during the weekend workshop. Tina's hugely influential articles and books address key Froebelian themes such as literacy, play and creativity. She is Honorary Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Roehampton, Vice President of Early Education, is on the Executive Committee of the International Froebel Society and a patron of the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE).

Laura Henry Allain will present on the Friday afternoon at the workshop, sharing her extensive writing experience. She is an award winning writer, Vice President of Early Education and creator of Cbeebies' JoJo and Gran Gran. Her latest children's book, My Skin, Your Skin was published by Ladybird in October 2021.

What is provided?

There are 15 places available for this workshop. Download a copy of the weekend workshop details for applicants.

• The weekend will begin at 10.30am on Friday 12 August and end at 2pm (after lunch) on Sunday 14 August.

• A range of activities designed to create a warm and supportive group environment and to aid the writing process including guest speakers and writing buddies / mentors.

• Standard class travel expenses (UK travel only) up to a maximum of £100 per person will be reimbursed. We encourage participants to use sustainable transport methods but if car travel is necessary, reimbursement will be made at 45 pence per mile up to the maximum allowed for claims. Participants must make their own travel arrangements and submit an expense claim with receipts attached and / or proof of distance driven.

• En suite accommodation will be provided in single (student) rooms at the University of Roehampton, London on Friday and Saturday nights. Thursday night accommodation may be available for participants travelling a long distance to Roehampton.

• Lunch and dinner on Friday; breakfast and lunch on Saturday; breakfast and lunch on Sunday will be provided.

• Meeting rooms with break out space at Elm Grove Conference Centre, Roehampton will be available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All meals apart from Saturday night dinner will be held in Elm Grove. Saturday evening is free for participants to make their own dinner / social arrangements.

• The possibility of visiting the Froebel Archive for Childhood Studies.

• Wifi access is available.

Please note: We ask you to bring your own laptop (and charger) if you prefer to write electronically. Paper and pens will be provided.

Who can apply?

• UK-based educators / teachers / practitioners, students, researchers and other professionals with a keen interest and proven commitment to Froebelian education. (Please note: you do NOT have to have completed a Froebel certificate course at Roehampton or Edinburgh to apply to take part in this workshop).
• New or experienced writers.
• You must commit to participating in all 3 days of the workshop, which will take place in London.
• You must be willing to spend the time planning & writing a blog or short article (c.500 words) about an aspect of Froebelian education, which the Froebel Trust will have the right to publish and share on our website.
• You do not need previous experience of writing for publications. You must be based in the UK.

How to apply

1) Download a copy of the details about the writing workshop

2) Then complete the short online application form by 10am on Friday 1 July 2022, including the following information:

• In no more than 150 words, tell us about your interest in Froebelian education
• In no more than 500 words, tell us about what you might like to write about and why you think it will interest readers.

3) Please consider completing our Equalities Monitoring Survey. All answers are confidential and stored separately from your application. All data are stored securely in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

4) We will contact you on 8 July 2022 to let you know if you have been awarded a place at the workshop.

We regret we cannot accept late applications, give feedback or enter into discussion about the outcome of applications.